Fumizen Japanese Restaurant - Shangri-La Plaza — Restaurant in Mandaluyong

I was finally able to see my siblings after the pandemic and we chose Fumizen as our first reunion venue. 💗 We reserved the simple VIP room at the back of the restaurant at the Shangri-La Mall. It was small but it comfortably fit 7 adults and 2 kids.

We especially enjoyed the unlimited Shabu-Shabu (which was on promo rate). It had a lot of inclusions and definitely worth a try! The kids and my sister-in-law ordered the Kurobuta set and this is a must-try as well, with the tender loin cutlet, cooked to perfection. (Food: 5 stars)

Our server, Collyn, was very attentive throughout our dining experience. She made sure we had everything we needed and kept checking-in to make sure that everything was in order. (Service: 5 stars)

Given the very limited space in the mall, Fumizen was able to maximize the area with simple (very Japanese and Zen) yet utilitarian furniture. The hues were calming throughout the restaurant. The open kitchen concept is consistent with Japanese outlets familiar to travelers. One small suggestion is to add more storage space for stocks and supplies to avoid crowding in the kitchen hallway leading to the VIP room. (Atmosphere: 4 stars)

Overall, we had a wonderful time at Fumizen Shang-ri La Mall! We will definitely dine here...

Normally, I would love to eat at any place that claims that it specializes in katsu, but unfortunately, this place did not live up to my expectations.

Ordered a loin katsu set and got my appetizer side dishes first. The chuuka wakame seaweed and mashed potato sides were very good, but I wished they would have served the watermelon at the end of the meal instead.

When I got my katsu, it looked good, but the taste was so-so. It didn't have that umami I was looking for like what I would expect from other katsu places. It tasted like something I could cook myself. The rice and miso soup were alright, but I was severely disappointed that what was supposed to be the star of my meal wasn't very good. The meat wasn't as tender, as some parts of the katsu were hard to chew, and I tasted more bread crumb than the actual flavor of the meat. The katsu sauce only helped a little.

Another thing I'd like to point out is the noise coming from the kitchen; I'm not talking about cooks calling out orders but friendly banter among them. It's too loud that it makes it hard to appreciate what I'm eating.

A server asked me at the end of my meal how my food was. I said it was okay. In my mind, I thought I would just go to some other katsu place and not recommend this...

Food:

Appetizer --- My favorite from their starter sampler was the Hiyashi Wakame (seaweed salad with sesame seeds). It's my first time trying out this dish and I loved it!

Sushi --- This is our first experience with a customized California Maki. We selected tuna as the main ingredient and asked for it to be smoked because hubby doesn't like it raw. It was also interesting to see (and taste) the typical mango transformed into a puree rather than included in the traditional maki roll.

Mains --- The Ebi Tempura was too greasy for my liking. I had to drown it in Goma Dare to somehow offset the greasiness.

Service: Hospitality was outstanding. We were well-informed on how we can customize the dishes we chose. Despite the restaurant being busy with a high volume of customers, the crew still ensured that they served our meals promptly. They also ensured that our drinks were always replenished and our finished plates cleared off our table.

Ambiance: We had alfresco dining so there were a lot of passersby, which was expected anyway. We still prefer alfresco because the restaurant interior feels too confined and chaotic especially on busy hours.

Will we come back though? Maybe. I would like their...